Picking a running buddy and the Shock Absorber giveaway winner...

As I am nearing the end of my pregnancy, 4 weeks to go and counting, I am beginning to get a little less active and indulging in a bit more relaxing. However, I am beginning to think more about post baby exercise and training. As I mentioned earlier this month in this post, I have a
goal of doing the Auckland Marathon in early November. I have been thinking about it a lot, as it's not my first marathon but it will be my first since baby, and wondering how it will go.

One way I thought it would be easier to train for and get motivated for it would be to get a running buddy to do it with, or at least train with. So how do you pick a running buddy you ask?? Well, typically this is what I would have USED to suggest:

Pick someone who is...
1. Slower than you so you always feel fast and amazing
2. Someone who doesn't look as good a runner as you so you look fast and amazing
3. Someone who will definitely NOT beat you in the race, if you do end up doing it together
4. Someone who just all round makes you look fast and amazing!

But actually, that is ALL rubbish!

They totes are!

Picking a running buddy is not about getting someone who will make you look good, but it's about getting a buddy that will challenge you, motivate you and encourage you that you can do it and do it well!
So here are my new pieces of advice. Pick someone who...

1. You can happily chat to whilst running, and with ease - this is not the place for awkward conversation and trying to find commonalities with someone. This will take your mind off the running itself and will help you keep a good pace for those Long slow runs.

2. Will challenge you to keep going, even when you just want to throw in the towel. You don't want some psycho screamer who rants and yells at you every time you want to stop, but you want someone who will challenge you to keep going for that last mile, 2kms, or 10 minutes.

3. Is in tune with your running style and can see signs of needing encouragement and cheering on. I know this sounds a little lame, but sometimes we just need someone to tell us we are doing well and that we can keep going!

4. You want someone who has similar training goals to you. Even if you are not training for the same distance, you can still do some of your training together. For example, you might be training for a half marathon, they might be training for a full, but you could still combine your speed and track sessions, as they are not about distance but improving fitness and speed.

5. You do not feel you have to compete against. The last thing you want is a running buddy who is always trying to 'one-up' you or beat you in your training runs.

Run with someone you feel comfortable with, someone who you feel at ease with and ENJOY their company. Remember that every run does not have to be done with a buddy too, as you will most likely be solo on race day, so having a mix of training runs is a good balance.

If you want to read more on the subject of running buddies, here's a link from Runners World which talks a little more about the subject.

Do you like running with people or flying solo? 

How do you pick a running buddy? 

NOW TO THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY...

Thanks to the random number generator,  I entered all of your numbers in and the winner that came out is...

Jenn Overton!! Woooohoooo!! 2 entries for liking and commenting :)

Jenn has just had a baby and before she was pregnant she had started running but then stopped once she found out her happy news. Enjoy your Shock Absorber Bra Jenn and I hope it helps with the post baby exercise! You totally deserve it!

Thanks to everyone who entered, I hope I will have more giveaways throughout the year for my amazing readers!

Creating a training plan the easy way and showering a baby...

Hi all,

*LAST DAY AND NIGHT TO ENTER THE SHOCK ABSORBER GIVEAWAY*

My latest exercising has consisted of a few casual strolls (ok - they are a workout for me but a casual stroll for anyone coming with me), and a couple of low key weight workouts.

AND... I have started to waddle... Eek! My husband told me to 'stop walking weirdly' the other day as I was trying sooo hard to not look like I was waddling that I just looked like I was walking strangely. Well, I don't waddle all the time, but by the end of a long walk I have a pretty substantial waddle going on! I'm sexy and I know it!

The rest of my training has consisted of lying on the couch reading great articles from this favourite website and magazine. It makes me feel like I am working hard when I read articles from here. They are oh so motivating and inspiring. Go check out the site!

The other awesome website I have discovered is this one here. Brilliant! I have just spent the last half an hour on it making a training plan for my up and coming post baby Marathon (in November). I know I am still pregnant and won't be starting the training for a wee while yet, but I thought I would fill out all my details and see what sort of a plan it came up with for me. I was a little cheeky and didn't put in pregnancy weights and measurements (but the ones I put in are heavier than my pre-preggers measurements, don't worry!). I have chosen a 14 week moderate training plan to start in July.


It is simple to set up, you just have to register your email address with them and then put in all of your details, and then they create the plan for you. You can create plans for running, multi post events, half marathons, full marathons, walking, running for health and fitness, you name it, they can pretty much do it. I recommend having a look, especially if you are a beginner.

What sort of plan do you use for training? Do you follow a plan at all? 

Any great sites or books for training plans?

The other part of my time lately has been planning and preparing for what was my baby shower on the weekend. It was fabulous! Me and my wonderful sister in law put all our creative ideas together (OK, I mean pinterest inspired ideas) and created a memorable shower in which myself and our baby were oh so spoiled! Here's a few snippets of the day...

Tim wasn't at the shower but he did get dragged into the photo booth

We had delicious food

The wishing tree - guests left messages for the baby which I will put into a book. Some very kind and special things were said

Photo booth props and teddy got signed by all the guests

So blessed by all the amazing and thoughtful gifts

My sister in law and party planner extraordinaire!

Animal and celebrity game and guess how many jelly babies

favours

Did I mention that the food was divine?

Delicious Raspberry and lemon cake made by my other amazing sister in law!

One Year Blog Birthday and Shock Absorber Giveaway...

Today Curious Runner Girl Blog turns one and what better way to celebrate than with my first ever GIVEAWAY!! Yay! I am so excited about my blog being one and about a giveaway.

Happy Birthday to me!

Before I get to the giveaway though, I just want to thank all those people who read my blog. If you look back to my very first post here I think we can all safely agree that the blog has come a long way. From a short little post with no pictures to a new look blog with a new name, as well as a facebook page. I started this blog with the hopes of encouraging readers, with my story as a non-runner to a marathon runner, that everyone can run, and to inspire and motivate you along your running and fitness journey.
So one marathon, two half marathons, numerous training trials and tribulations and one pregnancy later, here is my blog: one year old! 

Now... The part you all really want to hear about... The GIVEAWAY...

In October last year I was lucky enough to win a Shock Absorber Bra, as well as my entry to this year's Auckland marathon, PLUS one Shock Absorber Bra to giveaway on my blog thanks to Ruun - your sports bra specialists.

If you win this giveaway you have one of three Shock Absorber Bras to choose from, valued from $99-$109. These three selections can be viewed here. Shock Absorber Bras have been named 'The No 1 sports bra brand' and are the winner of the best sports bra 2011.

"A good sports bra is as essential a piece of kit as a good pair of trainers, whatever sports activity and whatever your cup size.
In Shock Absorber, we apply unique scientific and technological research to our sports bra design, so every thread, stitch and contour gives you the best support and comfort."

So... How do you win it? All you have to do is go to my facebook page here, like it and you are in the draw. If you have already liked my facebook page then congratulations, you are already in the draw. For a second entry, however, you could comment either on here or on my facebook page something about my blog or the giveaway. So you can have a total of two entries, which for all you people who are not so mathematically minded, is better than one! Yip, I'm a maths genius!

You will have one week to get your liking and commenting on and I will announce the winner Thursday the 31st Jan. Good luck!

More on goals and how I've been keeping busy...

How are your 2013 goals going so far? Mine... Well it's a little too early for most of them as most consist of post baby stuff but here's how my keeping active in pregnancy goal is going:

Thursday last week I was lucky enough to have a personal training session with my lovely PT friend, who is also preggers. We did an all over body weights workout and I was super tired afterwards!
Friday was a small walk and a whole lot of wall paper stripping and sanding - hard work but it keeps me busy for sure!

Thanks for the shorts Tim!

Earning my keep

Saturday was Pump class. If you want to know more about Pump with a Bump you can check out this post here. I think this was probably my last pump class for pregnancy. Although I can still manage it just fine, a) my concession card has run out, and b) it is getting a little more difficult in some areas than usual. But mostly just the concession card thing. I am so thankful that my pregnancy has been a great one that I can still continue to be active right through. I know not everyone has that privilege so I really am grateful that I do!

We then spent the rest of Saturday at a family event with Tim's family where I got uber sunburnt... Oops! But i did manage to go from the photos above to this:

Phew! I bet you are glad I let Tim wear his own shorts here!

Sunday and Monday both were actually rest days from the exercise but there was still a lot of Sanding, stripping, painting and repeat that we wanted to fit in so they definitely kept me busy. Tim has been wallpapering today and the room will be finished soon. Yay! Then we can begin to get the baby's room all sorted - that's exciting!

Well, our work is complete for today so now we are off for a walk together through a track that goes along the waterfalls. Bliss!

Don't forget to keep an eye out for my giveaway that will be coming really soon to celebrate my one year blog anniversary!

Have you fallen off the goals wagon already or are you still charging along?